In January 2016, Iranian singer-songwriter Mohsen Namjoo played together with the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble during their new-year concert. Namjoo lives in exile in the US. Photo: Peter Lodder

Your experiences with the US travel ban

31 januari 2017

Our Mobility Info Point at DutchCulture is assessing the effects of the US travel ban on cultural exchange and cooperation

Per U.S. Presidential Executive Order signed on March 6, 2017, visa issuance to citizens of the countries of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen has been suspended effective immediately until further notification.

This is order is regarded as a revised version of the Janurary 27 executive order, the much critisized 'Travel Ban.'

The most recent order removed Iraq and exempts permanent residents of the U.S. and current visa holders. However, people with ties to the countries mentioned above still face a lot of uncertainty when travelling to and from the U.S.

As a ‘focus country’ in the Dutch international cultural policy (2017-2020), the US are an important partner for The Netherlands. DutchCulture is collecting the consequences of the travel ban on international cultural cooperation.

Are you a touring musician who is stranded in The Netherlands as a result of the travel ban?

Are you an artist from one of these countries working in The Netherlands and does your work in the US stall because of your (double) passport?

Are you working with an artist in exile who legally resides in the US, who can’t leave the country without guarantee of returning?

Your questions and experiences like the examples above resulting from the travel ban are important for us to chart and address the consequences for artists and cultural professionals. You can share these with Infopoint@dutchculture.nl